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This just in… Heat turned up: US Attorney asks Commission for delay

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* 4:26 pm: US Attorney James Lewis sent a letter to the co-chairmen of the Legislative Audit Commission today asking again that the Commission delay testimony of subpoenaed Quinn administration officials. Read it here.

As you may recall, Republicans and the Chicago Tribune have wondered aloud why the legislative liaison branch of the US Department of Justice asked for the delay of hearings on the anti-violence program instead of the US Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, who is actually handling the case. The letter makes it clear that the US Attorney himself asked the DoJ to make the initial request…

The Assistant Attorney General made that request to the Commission on behalf of the Department of Justice and our office because we are conducting an ongoing criminal investigation as to conduct associated with NRI. We asked [the Office of Legislative Affairs] to make that request because we are genuinely concerned that interviews and testimony about the matter during this 90-day time period would pose several substantial risks to our ongoing investigation.

More…

We recognize and appreciate the importance of the Commission’s work. For that reason, we have asked only for the deference that we believe is necessary to avoid interference with our investigation. As you know, we have not asked the Commission to defer its collection or disclosure of documents or records as to NRI.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

* 4:54 pm - The Republicans on the Commission are preparing a joint response. Stay tuned.

* 5:17 pm - The GOP response…

Late this afternoon, the Legislative Audit Commission received a request from James A. Lewis, United States Attorney, Central District of Illinois, to defer conducting interviews or receiving testimony from individuals in connection with the State of Illinois’ Neighborhood Recovery Initiative for 90 days.

The request came because the office is “conducting an ongoing criminal investigation,” according to Lewis.

The bipartisan, bicameral Legislative Audit Commission will consider the U.S. Attorney and Department of Justice request at the public hearing scheduled for 10am Wednesday and 9am Thursday, if necessary, at the Michael J. Bilandic Building, Room 600, Chicago.

The Legislative Audit Commission will convene as planned. All witnesses – including those subpoenaed — are expected to attend as scheduled.

Sen. Jason Barickman, Co-Chair
Rep. David Reis
Sen. Bill Brady
Rep. Ron Sandack
Sen. Jim Oberweis
Rep. Rich Brauer

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:27 pm

Comments

Stop already!

Making it a partisan witch hunt instead of … a Federal Ongoing Criminal investigation of the Quinn Administration.

Do not overplay the hand. It’s a winning hand.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:30 pm
So the Trib writer, editorial board, and all who fell for that weird story line about the political involvement of DOJ, were plain wrong.

That was obvious from minute one. Just wanted to say it again.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:34 pm
@FakeStatehouseChick - it was weirder and weirder, now it’s triple weird. #MaybeTripleDown

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:37 pm
Okay at this point there is no excuse to continue. Knock it off let it go. You have the U.S. Attorney telling you to lay off. DO exactly what he told you collect documents and bide your time.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:37 pm
Criminal investigation. Another Illinois Governor is under FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. Wait the 90 days… and remind Quinn any time he opens his mouth about anything that his office is under a FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. Rauner, Durkin, Sandack and friends needn’t say more.

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:42 pm
Can GOPies blow the 2010 Brady campaign twice?
Unbelievable. First the puppy killing monster can’t or forget to get Commando MakeItUp to vouch for him. Now the flip the bird at the G
Fire, Aim, Ready !

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:45 pm
Repeat after me: “The Governor has not been charged with any wrong-doing…”

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:52 pm
To ignore the Fed’s double request and proceed now is just plain stupid.

Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:53 pm
Well said Willy! Problem is that I’m not sure the folks are smart enough to take your advice.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 4:54 pm
Rahm’s new murder capital Chicago is a war zone, it is irresponsible and bad politics for the rauner team to keep pushing this issue when they should be finding solutions to the violence. http://youtu.be/77sSEH9aNlo

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:01 pm
==I’m not sure the folks are smart enough to take your advice==

No need to doubt. I would at least exPECT them not to be…! Incidentally, does anyone know if the GOP Commission Members have ISSued their Statement as of yet–and how they responded?

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:09 pm
did the democrats refuse the request of the feds in New Jersey while investigating Christie? are Illinois GOPies less resposible than them?

Comment by goose/gander Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:12 pm
Snark - Snark - Snark!

For Immediate Fake Release:

Contact: This is not real, got it?

NRI INVESTIGATION ON HOLD BY LAC AT REQUEST OF US ATTORNEY

Not Springfield IL - Republican House Leader Jim Durkin, and Republican state Representative Ron Sandack have asked their colleagues on the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) to put in hold the upcoming hearing on the Audit Report submitted for the committee’s review.

“In light of multiple requests, by both the US Attorney’s Office and an Assistant US Attorney General, we have changed our minds as how to proceed, and hope, unanimously, all members will agree too,” said anyone.

“We are extremely frustrated, and want to continue the work charged, but with an ongoing Federal Investigation, we would not want to hamper the possible findings by the US Attorney, or derail a possible Criminal Investigation of the Governor’s Administration,” says anyone else.

“In 90 days, when the US Attorney’s timeline is complete, we all hope to move forward and pursue our own Hearings. We need to remember the US Attorney is in the middle of an ongoing criminal investigation of the governor’s office. We will possibly know more about that investigation after the 90 days that will help in our own hearings for the people of Illinois,” says whomever.

While asking for the LAC to wait the 90 days as the US Attorney has asked, Leader Durkin and Rep. Sandack make it clear that they are in no way advocating that hearing do not take place at all.

This is snark, not even close to true, no one is quoted. I wish that something along these lines is forthcoming.

###

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:12 pm
The plot may have adequately thickened. Or not. Maybe the US Attorney himself should have formally made the request from the get-go. IF they’re all going to plead the 5th, there’s no chance anything would get said that would damage things. Maybe they all aren’t intending on pleading the 5th and a certain US Attorney knows it, suspects it and/or is worried sick about it.

At the very least, the GOP should demand that any 90 day period they agree to is put in writing not to exceed 90 days. That would seem to be in the best interests of everyone. There’s more to this than we’re hearing about.

Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:16 pm
Smart move by the GOP.

The room will be packed with the press waiting for the drama to unfold. Right in downtown Chicago no less under the glare of countless cameras.

They can convene, discuss the ramifications for a while, then wait 90 days. Or proceed a bit. Democrats will either be filmed objecting to proceeding or sitting there doing a silent burn. The resulting headlines will be painful for Quinn.

Why not? The Democrats in New Jersey did the same thing with Christie during “Bridge Gate.” Christie suffered maximum pain then over all that.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:25 pm
To the 5:17 update,

Welp. If they overplay this and make a partisan witch hunt that backfires, it’s on those whose name is on the update.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:25 pm
So, this is what the opposition is all about then? New Jersey?

Look, I don’t care about New Jersey. I’d rather we not let national crud take over this blog. If y’all want revenge for what the Dems did to that GOP governor, move to New Jersey.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:32 pm
- Louis G. Atsaves -,

Or, the Democrats keep reiterating when they speak;

“What is confusing us today is why we are here? Both the US Attorney and an Assistant Attorney General have requested we hold off? Is this a partisan witch hunt? Are the members of this committee more interested in making political points here today, than worrying about what is best for the people of Illinois?”

A partisan committee debating the “witch hunt” aspects and ignoring the Feds is also optics, not good ones, but optics.

Defer by release. Save face, make hay.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:37 pm
As I said before, they want the Perp Walk. This way, they get the perp walk. Even if not a single witness is called, you get Flannery bombarding witnesses with questions.

I said in the beginning, the subpoena power is one of the supreme powers in a democracy, not to be exercised lightly.

This is an egregious abuse of power by Republicans. Shameful.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:37 pm
Rich

BRAVO

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:37 pm
Also, a quick Googling found that the Dems in NJ have cooperated with the feds while conducting their investigation. Just one recent update http://www.wnyc.org/story/bridgegate-committee-cant-call-any-more-major-witnesses/

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:39 pm
So Obama and Holder got to Lewis now, huh? They’ll stop at nothing and risk everything for Pat Quinn. I’m not fooled. I’m sure the Tribbies aren’t either.

The president and Justice Department are saving Quinn by giving Rauner the hook of “ongoing federal criminal investigation involving tens of millions of your dollars,” from now likely through the election. How do you use that in a negative TV spot?

As part of the coverup, the LAC will now have to wait until mid-October, when no one is paying attention to the election, to make Quinn’s crew do the perp walk and take the fifth, rather than now, when the election is foremost in everyone’s minds.

How diabolically fiendish.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:40 pm
===did the democrats refuse the request of the feds in New Jersey while investigating Christie? ===

Actually, no they didn’t.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:41 pm
Hmm. A coinkidink? https://brucerauner.com/donate/Christie/

Some of y’all (especially the deleted goofs) have given me an idea.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:43 pm
The full invitation: http://brucerauner.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Rauner-for-Governor-Governor-Christie-7.25.14.pdf

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:45 pm
Hey Since Christie made the IL scene how much of the dark RGA money will be spending?

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:46 pm
How many votes have Madigan & Cullerton forced just for political reasons. How many times has Quinn mixed politics and governing. But yes we should be outraged by this. Short memories and a hard left leaning comment board here.

Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 5:58 pm
===Short memories and a hard left leaning comment board here.===

I am a Republican. I can see greater hay and more damaging and, less partisan hay at that.

If the Dems go down the road of “why are we here?” “This is a political witch hunt.” “Ignoring the US Attorney” “Requested by the Assistant Attorney General of the United States”

This could all backfire, and for what, partisan optics that aren’t non-partisan criminal investigative asks by the Feds?

Welp, I hope it doesn’t blow up on them.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:05 pm
Rauner should be careful what he asks for there might just be an investigation that will force him off the ballot just in time for the Chris Christi visit.

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:06 pm
OW by putting the decision off tell tomorrow they get to have another news cycle of Quinn,federal investigation, US attorney’s office. I expect they will vote to give the Feds 90 days. But the whining about politics is hollow when it happens everyday in an Illinois controlled by Dems.

Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:17 pm
My fear?

PARTISAN POLITICS POISONS LAC HEARING

ILGOP IGNORES US ATTORNEY AND ASST. ATTY GENERAL

ILGOP WANTS POLITICS NOT ANSWERS AT LAC HEARING

US ATTORNEY DISAPPOINTED REQUEST WAS IGNORED

“You go after it once to get it on the record. You keep going after it, it looks like a bunch of partisan political shenanigans. It makes all the non-partisan hay that would help look like a bunch of tricks. It’s the difference between paper politics and real politics”

If you don’t think this could be risky, then you are missing the big picture here.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:18 pm
ok big muddy - Quinn is not under any kind of investigation. it’s not even likely that any of the former state employees who oversaw or managed the program are being investigated, despite the spin by patty schuh & her relevance-hungry team of legislators. All indications on the federal review are that it’s to do with grants & it’s coming from the central district which specializes in such cases. don’t let facts get in the way of a good rant!

Comment by get a clue Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:19 pm
I’m at a loss for those who don’t see a delay as a gift, unintentional, but nevertheless a gift, to the Rauner campaign.

For crying out loud, the audit came out if February. If it was all about “getting to the bottom of things,” hearings would have been held in March, before the federales even sought a grand jury. They’d be forgotten by now.

But now the GOP has Justice Department cover to hold off until a couple of weeks before the election to make “news” about it.

Tell me how the timeline could have played out better, politically, for Rauner?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:21 pm
===Short memories===

Yours is the shortest. The GA was involved in a constitutional process of impeaching and removing a governor and the US Attorney asked that some witnesses be put off limits. That request was honored, by both parties. Now, all of a sudden, it’s somehow “politics” if they don’t snub a federal prosecutor.

Sheesh.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:22 pm
Fed Up -

Forced vote? There is no such thing.

Well, technically the governor can use the State Police to round up legislators, but even then he cannot force them to vote.

This is a use of police powers for political gain.

It is appalling to see our state legislature turn down this path.

You know how many people were subpoenaed to testify before the house state government committee over Licenses for
bribes?

Zero.

Because Democrats didn’t try to turn George Ryan’s corruption into a three ring circus.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:24 pm
===Democrats didn’t try to turn George Ryan’s corruption into a three ring circus. ===

True. And in return, they got lots and lots and lots of goodies from an appreciative governor.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:26 pm
But, but, but… it will give people something to tweet about..

Comment by d Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:30 pm
===OW by putting the decision off tell tomorrow they get to have another news cycle of Quinn,federal investigation, US attorney’s office. I expect they will vote to give the Feds 90 days. But the whining about politics is hollow when it happens everyday in an Illinois controlled by Dems.===

Just keep in mind, it’s also another day that it could backfire, and making it partisan when it just doesn’t need to be.

Why do it.

As Rich pointed out, the GHR cloud hanging over was real helpful for the Dems, don’t overplay the hand, it’s a winning hand already.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:33 pm
==This could all bakfire==

Excellent point. Darn tootin’ it could…

==My fear?…(All 4 Headline Examples…)==

Spot on. The U.S. District Attorney is going to be TICKED OFF (in a MAjor way) that they’re now (the Republicans pushing the LAC forward despite the Earnest(”We mean Business here”), Respectful (”This is all we’re asking for–to please not interfere with OUR job at this point and you won’t have to interfere with yours in time”), even inferring the reasonable possibility of moving ahead on their Hearings.

Their response may give these GOP Legislators a quick rush in the short term by creating drama and throwing down the gauntlet at the U.S. Justice Department, but it very well EXPLODE in their faces politically in the long run, because as we speak, there is little doubt that the Feds are NOT “Happy Campers” with their brash retort.

All in all, even if they vote TO hold off on proceeding tomorrow, just not a wise move by these GOPers issuing the Official Response for the LAC to the United States Government/District Attorney’s Office at darn well near its’ Highest Level…

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:46 pm
Whoops. That was meant to read above, ==…backfire==

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:48 pm
I wonder if rauner ever saw a movie called citizen Kane, it would b better if he hasn’t, I would hate to ruin the ending for him.

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:48 pm
That was also meant to read, “Respectful (…) Request by the U.S. Attorney, even inferring….”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 6:50 pm
Looking for the republican plan on how to address violence in the neighborhoods. The children shooting children violence. The 85 people shot in a weekend violence. The 15 killed in a weekend violence. Guess if your only answer is to shoot back; or to promote little or no restriction on getting guns in the first place; I guess if that’s what you got, then maybe it makes sense to just change the subject. This politicking without addressing the issue belittles the significance of the victims. I’m not surprised, but I am offended by it all.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 7:03 pm
I think folks are getting way ahead of themselves here…let’s see who the feds have on the hook before deciding that the third Governor from IL is going to the pokey…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 7:11 pm
Our experience with federal investigations of Illinois corruption is that they take forever. Slim chance that the feds or the GOP will reveal any substantive wrongdoing before November. Quinn will be able to say, “Who, me? Witch hunt!”

Comment by Perry Noya Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 7:32 pm
Good move by GOP. Cancelling the meeting would have been a gift to Quinn, most evidenced by the Quinn backers who are outraged.

The Ryan scandals don’t compare here. Most people understood that they rose to Ryan’s level. I think Quinn is likely insulated here.

And to those who suggests that politics have nothing to do with the US Att’s letter I think you’re being naive. That’s not a conspiracy. It’s just common sense as the DOJ has become increasing politicized in the last two decades.

Comment by Hear Me Now Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 7:34 pm
=== Cancelling the meeting would have been a gift to Quinn,…===

How is it a gift to Quinn?

A US Attorney and Assistant Attorney General of the United States has said an ongoing investigation is being conducted of the Quinn Administration. Yeah, they are doing cartwheels.

===…, most evidenced by the Quinn backers who are outraged===

I’m a Repblican, and this hand is getting way too close to being overplayed.

===Our experience with federal investigations of Illinois corruption is that they take forever. Slim chance that the feds or the GOP will reveal any substantive wrongdoing before November.===

How is that not any more perfect than…perfect? You get to hammer and shake Quinn till the cows come home with Quinn unable to clear his name!

===Quinn will be able to say, “Who, me? Witch hunt!”===

No. That will happen tomorrow with the staged Dopiness if it backfires.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 7:46 pm
Rich -

I don’t think it even crossed anyone’s mind to have hearings, let alone subpoenas.

As for the goodies, the goodies had a lot more to do with passing Illinois FIRST.

I recall Rick Winkel snubbing Ryan by not showing for a ribbon cutting in his district. Winkel’s dad was a countywide official in Kankakee for decades. Ouchers.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:15 pm
–And to those who suggests that politics have nothing to do with the US Att’s letter I think you’re being naive. That’s not a conspiracy. It’s just common sense as the DOJ has become increasing politicized in the last two decades. –

By definition, if two or more people put their heads together and said “let’s try to block these guys from taking testimony, let’s slow this down until after the election,” that would, indeed, be a conspiracy.

Who are the people putting their careers on the line here for some murky attempt to help Quinn? What’s the reward for that incredible risk? Quinn gets re-elected? Who do you think in the Justice Department cares about that?

What exactly do you think the super-sleuths on the LAC are going to come up with? Have your ever attended an LAC hearing? They’re not an investigative body. They have no charge to consider criminality.

You understand there’s an ongoing criminal investigation involving a federal grand jury, correct?

You realize no one in their right mind would say anything to a legislative commission if they already have or may have to testify before a grand jury. You trip yourself up, and some federales can make a case that you lied to them, that’s a felony.

Politically, what benefits Rauner more: the Quinn crew taking the fifth amendment tomorrow, or them taking it in mid-October?

It’s not even close.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:23 pm
Lincoln Lad. I’m not sure what your talking about but the areas of the state that aren’t controlled by Dems seem to be pretty safe.

Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:24 pm
===Our experience with federal investigations of Illinois corruption is that they take forever===

NE Illinois takes forever. This guy in Springfield moves pretty quickly by comparison.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:26 pm
–Lincoln Lad. I’m not sure what your talking about but the areas of the state that aren’t controlled by Dems seem to be pretty safe–

Is that how it works? What insight. Have fun bar-hopping on the east side of Springfield. And don’t make fun of the Peoria mayor, or the cops will kick your door down and toss you in jail.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:29 pm
Why not compromise and wait 60 days?

Comment by Jack Handy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:48 pm
[This commenter has been banned for life. If y’all want to claim that the US Freaking Attorney for the Central District of Illinois is acting out of political malice, get your own blog. Don’t do it on my blog.]

Comment by Hear Me Now Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 8:56 pm
How about banning OW for claiming he is a Republican (twice in one post)?

Comment by Cadillac Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:21 pm
Cadillac, you could be next. I’m drinking bourbon and listening to the replay of today’s Opie and… Jimmy? show. Don’t push it.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:24 pm
- Cadillac -,

When Dopes think this is partisan, that all Republicans feel one way, and all Democrats feel another way, it’s just wrong.

You can be a Republican and understand the delay can begged best possible optics, and also fear the hearing tomorrow could seriously backfire into a partisan witch hunt, which could insulate Quinn when this could wound him, almost fatally.

Some can’t see beyond extremes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:27 pm
I think the problem here is some very short-sighted GOPers. They know that the lights and cameras will be in town and they do not want to miss out. Who knows what will happen in October & who cares when you can pose for the media tomorrow? I think this is more about what they think will look good today and less about finding out what the governor knew and when he knew it.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:32 pm
A fellow bourbonite! Noah’s Mill with a splash of water. You will thank me.

Comment by Jack Handy Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:46 pm
When the US Attorney and DoJ ask you not to interfere, don’t you need to cooperate? Refusing to cooperate can’t be good, can it? I agree that the timing is suspect but 90 days is still before the election and workable.

Comment by Soccertease Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:48 pm
===Noah’s Mill===

Never heard of it.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 9:57 pm
It’s almost like someone called this exact scenario last week. And now that it’s confirmed, the nuts are still of their rockers

https://capitolfax.com/2014/07/10/just-90-days/#comment-11564802

As far figuring out the conspiracy wordslinger, I don’t see Benghazi in your calculations anywhere. Obviously, with GOPers chasing down this Holder/Obama conspiracy to help Quinn, they won’t be able to investigate Benghazi even more!

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 11:46 pm
Fed up -

Welcome to the GOP, you are now a charter member of the ‘I don’t care what happens in the inner city, it’s not my problem club’. Don’t forget to pick up your blinders so you don’t even have to see it while you strategize how to suppress tinner city votes too.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 5:10 am
Well, today could me interesting. Anyone know if there is a hashtag to follow today’s events?

Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 7:44 am
*be* -dang iPhone.

Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 7:45 am
Caught some of the all-star game. That Mike Trout is the goods. He hasn’t turned 23 yet. He’s going to get better.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:28 am
“@RonSandack - Forget the headline. What’s truly newsworthy is confirmation of an “ongoing criminal investigation into conduct…”

lol, they haven’t even had the “hearing” and already the headlines aren’t going the way they want. This boulder all blowup.

To - wordslinger -,

Trout is the real deal. Got the five tools, smart, and media savy, ala Jeter. Actually a pretty well played game.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:35 am
The IL GOP clown car NEVER turns off their turn signal and does NOT get out of the left lane when the DOJ is flashing their brights right behind them.

At least four of those six are running for election? They need publicity and campaign mailer fodder. This is tailor-made for that and for Rauner, and it’s working. That sounds very calculated and crass and shallow, but when you have a reasonably efficient and objective Lewis talking about interfering with a federal investigation, and GOPers that include several lawyers not listening?

Comment by Toure's Latte Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:46 am
Wordslinger: How partisan of you! (Even though I agree)

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:51 am
If only the GOP would listen to Oswego Willy, they would hold all the offices in Illinois. NOT!

Comment by Apocolypse Now Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:52 am
(It’s “partisan” because Trout plays for a team in California which of course is a bastian of left-leaning liberals which is a distraction from the R’s to support Obama’s DOJ plan to help Quinn to keep the R’s from investigating Benghazi which of course is only a front to keep everyone’s attention away from Area 51. Got all that?)

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:55 am
If you expect them to listen to me, then your expectations are a bit too high. Think Daily Southtown motto, then get back to me.

- Skeptic -,

You forgot the tin foil hats, don’t forget the hats.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 8:58 am
OW: Of course! You never see the inside of the batting helmet, do you? That proves it!

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 16, 14 @ 9:09 am